BMW will launch the i8 hybrid sportscar in the Indian car market in next few months. Limited units of the hybrid sportscar will be sold in the country, and the German car manufacturer has started importing the sportscar in India. Unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show, the i8 hybrid will serve as a brand builder for BMW in India. It will be the flagship product in BMW India’s portfolio, and is expected to be priced over Rs. 2 crore.
Under the bonnet, the BMW i8 gets a hybrid powertrain which uses both petrol and electric motors. The petrol motor is the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder, turbocharged unit that is capable of developing 231bhp of peak power and 320Nm of top torque. Power is transmitted to rear wheels of the sportscar via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Its electric motor is good for 131bhp of top power and 250Nm of top torque, which drives the front wheels. The combines power output of petrol-electric hybrid is 362bhp and 570Nm of torque.
On hybrid run, the BMW i8 accelerates to 100kmph from zero in just 4.4 seconds and attains a top speed of 250kmph. On electric motor, the car remains stable at a top speed of 120kmph, and can run up to 35km on full charge. The hybrid powetrain is claimed to return an impressive fuel economy of 40kmpl.
